(‘hog-worm,’ as it is here named, from hogs being extremely fond
of it) which is found in great numbers in old grass-lands when
newly broken up. I t has not hitherto been injurious to potatoes
or crops of corn, yet it is very destructive to pasture-lands. I
knew not until lately the cause of the barren appearance I had
observed in many parts of the pastures; I had been told it proceeded
from the shallowness of the soil, or from barren clays under
the soil; but, upon breaking up some old lays, it was discovered that
under these apparently barren spots, this ‘large white grub, with a
red head, six short legs, and nine breathing-holes m each side, and
measuring from an inch to an inch and a half in length, had been at
work and had absolutely separated the sward for an inch or more
from the subsoil. I have examined many spots where the verdure
had disappeared, and invariably have found this destructive maggot.
I have seen some taken out at twelve or fifteen inches under the
surface, and, at other times, have caught them destructively employed
within a few inches of the grass, feeding on its roots and occasioning
the mischief.” I t is said that the only way of destroying these
creatures is to turn a herd of swine for a few days into the field
where they are; they destroy both grass and grubs, but,of the two
evils they are the least. I have also found this insect under stones
on the low barren plains near Prosperous Bay.
Fam. Flateridce.
Anchastus, Lee.
»A . a t l a n t i c u s , C&nd.-A long, thin Beetle, three-eighths of an
inch in length, black on the upper and somewhat whitish on the
under surface. I t is found under stones, in the dry earth to the
eastward of Arnos Yale;, and I have also captured it on the top
of Flagstaff Hill, on the eastern side of the Island, at an altitude
of 2000 feet above the sea.
Fam. Cleridee.
Corynetes, Hbst.
C r u f ip e s , Thunb.—A Beetle which Mr. Wollaston recognises
as a common European species, and which has doubtless madeits
way into St. Helena, as it has to Ascension, the Canarian, and Cape
Verde archipelagos, through the medium of commerce. I t is about
the sixth part of an inch in, length, and easily recognised by its
metallic green colour. I t inhabits only the low land in the neighbourhood
of the town and Ladder Hill.
Fam. Ptinidm.
Gribbium, Scop.
G. scotias, Fab.—Like the last, a European species, imported
into the Island as it lias been at Madeira. Its bright, dark brown,
glass-like body, about the size of a large pin’s head, and long thin
legs, serve easily to distinguish it from the other Beetles.
Fam. Anobiada.
Anobium, Fab. m
A . velatum, Woll.—This and the three following species,
taken from the neighbourhood of the town, are small light-brown
Beetles, which Mr. Wollaston recognises as importations into the
Island, A. velatum also occurring at Madeira.
A . paniceum, Linn., has also established itself in the Azorean,
Madeiran, Canarian, and Cape Yerde archipelagos.
A . stria tum , Oliv.—A common European insect, which, like
the last species, has established itself in the above-named islands.
A . confertum, Woll.—Of which Mr. Wollaston says : “ Having
no information concerning the precise places of capture of Mr.
Melliss’s various Coleóptera, I cannot but look with suspicion upon
a single example of an Anobium now before me; as having, in all
probability, become introduced into the Island, and been found by
him in some house or cultivated spot; yet, as it is well characterized
by its very peculiar sculpture, and I cannot identify it with any
member of the genus to which I have had access, I have thought it
desirable to enunciate the species on the chance that it will be ascertained
to have been undescfibed.”
Fam. Bostrichida.
Bhizopertha, Steph.
B. bifoveolata, Woll.—This and the following species, ..taken
L 2